Inflatable boot-tree.



PATBNTBD JUNE.28,`1904.-

-INI'LATABLE Boo'r TREE.

PPLIGATIOI FILED FEB. 24. 1903. I0 IODEL.

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Patented une 28, 1904.

'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HANS GRAF HOYOS, OF HANOVER, GERMANY.

INFLATABLEA BOOT-TREE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 763,489, dated June 28, 1904.

Application filed February 24, 1903. Serial No. 144,842. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HANS GRAF Ho'Yos, lieutenant, a subject of the German Emperor, and a resident of Hanover, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Infiatable Boot-Trees, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to inflatable bootvtrees, the construction of which is improved which is made from air-tight material and in the shape of a stocking of proper size and form. The inflatable body a is closed atthe top by a cap b, which is made from hard material, such as thick leather or the like, which does not collapse if the air is let out of the main body a. On the top of said cap b a return-valve o is provided, through which the inflatable main body t can be inflated by means of an air-pump in the well known manner.

To the bottom of the inflatable part a a sole z, of solid material, is fixed in any suitable manner, which is connected with the solid head o by .means of a strip e of non-stretchable material which is as long as the boot is high. A metal shield d, which corresponds in shape to the upper of the boot, is fixed at its upper end to the lower end of the cap If the inflatable boot-tree is to be used with top-boots, the shield d is made of two parts, as shown in Fig. l, hinged together at one point q, and ribbons f are fixed to the upper end of the shield 0l for the purpose of keeping the shield in proper position on the inflatable body a. The inflatable boot-tree for top-boots further has a handle r-.fxed to the upper edges of the shield d, soasto facilitate the removal of the boot-tree.

This inflatable boot-tree is used in the following manner: The inflatable body a, with sole it and shield al, is inserted into the boot.

The cap I) rests on the upper edge of the boot. If now the inflatable body a is inflated in the well-known manner, a uniform pressure is exerted by means of the shield d on the front and upper part of the boot. All deformities in the boot formed, for example, by bunions, corns, and the' like are preserved, as the soft wall of the inflatable boot afills them out. The connection of the 'solid top part andv the solid sole prevents any excessive lateral inflationof the inflatable boot atthe upper edge.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Improved inflatable boot-tree comprising in combination an inflatable body of flexible material in the shape of a stocking of a size corresponding to the boot, a cap of rigid material closing the inflatable body at the upper end, a return-valve in said cap, a sole of stiff material at the bottom of the inflatable body, a strip of non-stretching material connecting the stiff cap and sole, a shield of sheet metal corresponding in shape'to the upper of the boot fixed 'at the upper end to the front of the cap, substantially as described and shown and for the purpose set forth.

2. Improved inflatable boot-tree comprising in combination an infiatable body of flexible material in the shape of a stocking of a size corresponding to the boot, a cap of rigid material closing the inflatable body at the upper end, a return-valve in said cap, a sole of stiff material at the bottom of the inatable body, a strip of non-stretching material connecting the cap and sole, a shield of sheet metal corresponding in shape to the upper of the boot fixed atthe upper end to the front of the cap, consisting of two hinged parts, the

upper one corresponding in shape to the leg stantially as described and shown and for the purpose set forth.

.In testimony whereof I have hereunto set' my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HANS GRAF HoYos.

Witnesses:

C. C. S'rnvnNsoN, LEoNoRE RAsoH. 

